Volume 13 Chapter 200-2 Yuu Tachibana, A Man Named Shintaro Mayuzumi.
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Aqua…”
Ah, Kanon-oneesan was staring at the screen with the same dreamy expression as Kiyoko-oneesan.
”Miss, I understand your desires, but please hold back. After childbirth, you can indulge as much as you want.”
”I-I am not feeling that way!”
What does it mean to feel that way?
Kotono-oneesan, who was listening next to the two, quickly turned her face aside.
’I’m sorry, Shirogane… no, Aqua. I’m awake now. I am… I am! I aspire to be a hero who can only be Mayuzumi Shintaro, not Shirogane Aqua.’
’Ah!’
Huh?
Was there such a scene in Heaven’s Sword’s broadcast?
Oh, this isn’t from Heaven’s Sword.
Shintaro-oniisan chases after me as I step outside.
’Look over there.’
Toa-oneesan points towards where I had exited.
’Nekoyama… you.’
’Shintaro, from now on, call me Toa.’
This is how the 3 of us began to call each other by our first names.
This kind of conversation between boys seemed new to the older sisters, creating great cheers and vibrations that shook the venue.
’Thank you! I’m going now!!’
’Okay!’
Shintaro-oniisan and I face each other on the hospital balcony.
Oh, it’s so embarrassing.
’Onii-chan… Yuu… was playing tag in the park. Then, a big car came crashing into the park and hit me. It hurt so much, I cried a lot. Then the driver, my brother, got out and said it was my fault, that running in the park was my fault. Hey, Onii-chan… should I not walk like this anymore?’
’Of course not!! I want to see you running, Yuu-chan!!’
Seeing my past self, I blush.
At that time, I used to call myself Yuu and called Shintaro-oniisan “Onii-chan.”
But not wanting to be seen as childish by Shintaro-oniisan, I started calling myself “I” and calling “Onii-chan” “oniisan.”
Ugh, I wanted to look a bit more grown-up, but this just shows everyone that Yuu is desperately trying to stretch out.
’Really?’
’Yeah, really!’
Remembering that time, Yuu’s chest warms.
’I think the walking practice will be tough. I can’t just say, “Go for it,” but still… what do you say we try? Someday, when Yuu-chan can run properly, I want to race with Yuu-chan in the park. Just like in the picture you drew earlier, let’s run under the sun together.’
’Yeah, I want to race with Onii-chan too. But… you know, the other day when I tried to stand up during walking practice, I remembered the accident, and I got so scared that I couldn’t get up…!’
That’s right.
Shintaro-oniichan, do you still remember our promise from that day?
Yuu has always remembered.
That when my legs are healed, we’ll run together.
You see, Yuu really has.
I’ve worked really hard on my rehabilitation.
To run alongside Shintaro-oniichan!!
’Will you watch Masked Driver tomorrow morning? I want Yuu-chan to know that if you muster the courage to stand, it’ll be rewarding. The first step might be scary, but you never know what’s waiting for you beyond that. So, tomorrow morning, Masked Driver is not about Kenzaki Souji. I want you to watch me… Tachibana Zanki!’
Shintaro-oniichan’s strong words shook the venue where Yuu and the others were.
Aqua-oniichan is definitely cool.
But still, for Yuu, there’s only one hero.
Shintaro-oniichan, I’ll be waiting for you.
Absolutely, we will run together.
We’ll run a lot under the sun together!!
* * *
*****Kokuchō Kujaku’s Perspective*****
”It seems they’ve tired out and fallen asleep.”
”Ha ha, it’s time for kids to sleep, after all. Though I’m pretty sleepy too.”
Don’t you dare sleep, Maruo.
Maruo and I embrace the two girls who are watching from the back.
I never thought I’d be holding a girl, even if she is just a child.
”Ah, um, thank you very much.”
”Don’t worry about it. There’s still time before she comes back. Until then, let her sleep peacefully.”
I took the girls who fell asleep in the rest room, along with the girl’s mother.
Mayuzumi Shintaro….
You’re quite something, huh?
Besides, I didn’t think you could be that passionate.
”Or maybe, if I’m with him and Shirogane Aqua, will I also become passionate someday?”
I can’t imagine that.
Lost in thought, Maruo beside me bursts out laughing.
It seems I had spoken out loud what I was thinking.
”You know, you’re surprisingly clueless when it comes to yourself.”
”Huh?”
What are you talking about?
This guy….
As I stood there with my mouth half-open, Maruo pointed his thumb at me.
”You were pretty passionate in the idol audition too, partner.”
”Ah, that was… well, an exception.”
Besides, you were more passionate than I was at that time.
Embarrassed, I turned my face away from Maruo.
”Yamada-san, can I have a moment?”
”Yes! Kujaku, I’ll be right back.”
On my way back after dropping off the girls in the rest room, Maruo was called away by the staff.
Once clumsy, Maruo has recently started to get better little by little.
Someday he might become better at everything than I am.
Thinking of that brought a smile to my face.
I realized this is what it feels like for a parent watching their child grow.
”If I were as straightforward as Maruo…”
Then maybe Agewa wouldn’t have suffered alone.
Unlike Mayuzumi Shintaro, I’m truly hopeless.
I still get angry at myself for not being able to do anything.
”Ah!”
As I returned to the waiting room alone, I accidentally locked eyes with Mayuzumi Kiyoko.
This is awkward.
Looking at her reminds me of Agewa.
”…How did you feel when you were avoided by Mayuzumi Shintaro?”
What are you asking, you idiot!
Fool!
You idiot!!
When I insult myself, I immediately try to correct my words.
”I’m sorry. What I said earlier was…”
”I was frustrated with myself for being powerless and unable to do anything for my child. It hurt so much, not knowing what to do… I’m sure Agewa-san felt something similar.”
I was startled by Mayuzumi Kiyoko’s words and turned my face towards her.
”Kujaku-kun is worried about Agewa-san, huh?”
”…Yeah.”
I tried to understand Agewa’s emotions through her.
Mayuzumi Kiyoko saw right through that.
”I was saved. By Shin-chan and Aqua-kun, and of course by Tenga-kun and Toa-chan who supported Shin-chan. But even so, I still regret that I couldn’t do anything. Maybe there are things in this world that you can’t change no matter how hard you try, but I’m still Shin-chan’s parent. I still wonder how I should have interacted with him, and I struggle with that.”
So… that was the case.
My relationship with Agewa now isn’t bad.
But… does Agewa still worry about the past?
If so, then I…
”I’ve brought a treat!!”
I thought a loud person had arrived, and it turned out to be our country’s Prime Minister.
I lock eyes with Agewa, who is officially acting as a monitor from behind.
”Prime Minister, what brings you here?”
”Hehe, I thought I could make up for Aqua-kun’s absence with my apology.”
So, it’s the usual.
From behind, Agewa begins to lecture, saying, “The Prime Minister shouldn’t be so easily forgiven!”
I nodded many times during that lecture.
”Prime Minister, what’s this?”
”This is my officially approved apology dumpling! I thought I might just live off these if I get kicked out of politics. Hehe.”
Kohina Yukari, holding the dumpling, gives a deadpan look.
I get it.
She’s making a face that says how can someone who messes up this much not get fired.
I take 2 of the dumplings that were passed around.
Hey!
Are you that fond of them?
Don’t give me that look.
This is Maruo’s!!
”Kujaku-kun has some similarities with Mayuzumi-kun, doesn’t he?”
”I know! Like how he spoils certain people completely!!”
”I see, so this is the blood of Kokucho…”
Hey, you over there, staff!
I can hear everything clearly!!
Don’t compare me to Mayuzumi Shintaro who spoils Shirogane Aqua!!
And that has nothing to do with Kokucho!!
As I was eating a bun, Agewa, who was beside the Prime Minister, timidly approached.
Hey, if you’re coming that close, you might as well just say something!!
Seriously!!
”What is it?”
”Um, I was just wondering if you were tired.”
Honestly, what a clumsy person.
I let out a big sigh.
Seeing that, Agewa showed a panicked expression, thinking I was exasperated with her.
Hey, where did your poker face go?
Ever since you were charmed by Shirogane Aqua, you’ve been like this.
”You could just ask without holding back. We are… um, parent and child after all.”
”K-Kujaku-kun!”
Hey, don’t cry over that!
I handed Agewa the handkerchief that was in my pocket.
I was glad I always kept 5 handkerchiefs in my pocket for taking care of Maruo.
”Hehe.”
Hey, stop that.
Mayuzumi Kiyoko, don’t look at me like that!!
She has a similar vibe to Agewa at first glance, but unlike Agewa, who has an honest and cute side, she surprisingly has a good personality.
”Well then, I’ll go have a meeting with Maruo. Oh… mother, if you’re tired, don’t push yourself and take a nap.”
I blushed deeply and ran away from the spot.
Please.
Shirogane Aqua, come back quickly.
The only one who can handle these two troublesome women is you, the one and only in this world.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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